Postgraduate Diploma in Respiratory Medicine

Module Aims
Establish an understanding of Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology and apply this to the clinical assessment and investigation of common respiratory symptoms.

Module Content

• Impact, burden and epidemiology of Lung diseases
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory systems
• Clinical Assessment and Clinical Examination
• Breathlessness and Wheeze, Cough and Sputum.
• Spirometry
• Other Respiratory Investigations (X-rays, blood tests and more complex lung function tests).

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise the impact of respiratory disease on society and the importance of epidemiology in the diagnosis and management of respiratory conditions.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of anatomy and the physiology of the respiratory system and relevance to the pathophysiology of respiratory disorders.
3. Compare and contrast the range of presenting symptoms in respiratory disease and how they are investigated.

Module Aims
To develop an in-depth understanding of Asthma and Allergy and its impact on patient life.

Module Content

• Asthma Diagnosis and Investigation
• Allergy and anaphylaxis
• Pharmacological management
• Non-pharmacological / self-management
• Co-morbidities (obesity, OSA, bronchiectasis, rhinitis, depression)
• Difficult Asthma

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify common causes of allergy and anaphylaxis, their investigation and treatment.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and management of Asthma
3. Appreciate the role of co-morbidities and their relationship to difficult asthma
4. Formulate a coherent approach for assessing, investigating and managing patients with difficult asthma

Module Aims
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the presentation, diagnosis and management of patients with COPD.

Module Content

• Early and accurate diagnosis
• Pharmacological management (including oxygen therapy)
• Non-pharmacological management (smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation and assisted technology)
• Management of exacerbations (acute and chronic, ICS debate, NIV, ceiling of treatment)
• Co-morbidities (osteoporosis, heart disease and depression)
• End of life care, palliative care and advance care planning

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline a robust approach to the diagnosis and investigation of patients with COPD
2. Compare and contrast pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in COPD, focusing on their strengths and limitations
3. Recognise the importance of exacerbations and co-morbidities in COPD and their effects on patient morbidity and mortality
4. Critically evaluate the role of palliative and end of life care in COPD, focusing on strengths and weakness of services in their locality

Module Aims
Develop an in-depth understanding of the presentation, investigation and management of thoracic malignancy and pleural disease

Module Content

• Lung cancer – screening, red flags, solitary pulmonary nodules
• Lung cancer – diagnosis and staging
• Lung cancer - treatments
• Asbestos related pleural disease
• Pleural effusion and pneumothorax
• The interface and ethics (MDT, working across boundaries, communicating difficult diagnoses, when to stop treatment)

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically evaluate screening programmes, diagnostic investigations and treatments in lung cancer
2. Formulate a robust approach for investigating and treating patients with pleural disease
3. Justify the role of the multidisciplinary team in the management of malignant and non-malignant respiratory disease

Module Aims
Develop a comprehensive understanding of pulmonary infection, its investigation and management

Module Content

• Tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease
• Pneumonia (including community acquired and hospital acquired)
• Respiratory tract infection (bronchitis, URTI, bronchiolitis)
• Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis
• Infections in the immunocompromised patient (HIV, immunomodulatory drugs, atypical infections)
• Antibiotic guardianship

Learning Outcomes

1. Contrast the presentation, diagnosis and management of different respiratory pathogens
2. Demonstrate an understanding of antimicrobial side effects and resistance, and the importance of antibiotic guardianship
3. Describe the role of more rare pathogens in immunosuppressed patients and develop a robust approach to diagnosing such infections

Module Aims
To develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of interstitial lung disease, pulmonary vascular disease and conditions resulting in respiratory failure

Module Content

• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Other interstitial lung diseases
• Venous thromboembolic disease and pulmonary vascular disease
• Lung disease in my environment (occupational lung disease, children, flying and diving, dysfunctional breathing)
• Lungs at the extremes (age, obesity, illegal drugs)
• Sleep disordered breathing and ventilatory failure

Learning Outcomes

1. Compare and contrast the presentation, investigation and management of interstitial and pulmonary vascular disease
2. Outline and differentiate conditions that lead to ventilatory failure, including sleep disordered breathing
3. Outline and differentiate respiratory conditions that pertain to a particular environment or country